Piedmont Elementary School

12/07/2024

Come buy the cutest holiday cards around, featuring artwork by our students! We will be selling cards today at Horace Mann Middle School from 9-2 and at Edgewood Summit from 10-2. 8 cards for $10.

05/31/2023

03/10/2023

To conclude Piedmont’s black excellence spotlight, we shout out Yvonne Lee!

Yvonne Lee is the Community in Schools (CIS) worker for Capital High School. She has her PhD in Social Work, with a concentration in Family Intervention and Preservation. Yvonne is an entrepreneur while working in the community advocating for the people.

She works as a voter engagement organizer, fulfilling her passion of mobilizing people and getting them to the polls. She is dedicated to uplifting marginalized people and building community power to achieve change. Her most dedicated role is being Gigi and mom.

Thank you for being excellent, Yvonne!

03/09/2023

Next up in our black excellence spotlight is Torri Locke!

Torri T. Locke is a cosmetologist, CEO, and Alumnae of Piedmont Elementary. From the young age of 7, she began to idealize her father and his work as a cosmetologist, and she knew from then she wanted to do hair. Straight out of high school, she went to cosmetology school and mastered the trade of natural hair care.

Being a freedom-seeker who looks for flexibility at work and
a strong team spirit.
She wanted to create a place that's family oriented.
That others would have a place of work that's comfortable and sufficient to
provide for their families. In the midst of developing the business, she
was raising a son.

With a lifetime of experience, who takes pride in her craft.
Specializing in braids but versatile (a trendsetter). Torri has been able to
put her creativity and the natural born talent to good use. Over the years,
Torris strengths at hair on Locke have garnered some recognition by the local
community and surrounding states. Torri may spend her days at hair on Locke,
but it’s the passion and knowing she's going to help someone else feel and look
better that gets her up in the morning.

When not at hair on Locke, Torri loves visiting new places.
and would like to incorporate her business with traveling. When at home, you
can see her involved and giving back to her community.

Thank you for being excellent, Torri!

03/08/2023

Next up in our black excellence spotlight is our very own Mr. Beatty!

Ron Beatty was born and raised in Charleston, WV. He is married with four kids and seven grandkids. He graduated from Stonewall Jackson High School in 1983. He was a member of the 1982 boys’ AAA State Basketball team and was named to the All-State Basketball team in 1983. He graduated from West Virginia Tech in 1990 with a degree in Arts and Science, won two conference basketball championship tournaments, and was named to the first team All-Conference Team in 1988. Mr. Beatty started his teaching journey in Boone County at Van Elementary (1990), Portsmouth City Schools in Ohio (1990-96), and Kanawha County Schools (1996-present). He is currently in his 25th year at Piedmont Elementary School.

Mr. Beatty has coached basketball for more than 20 years at every level from elementary to college basketball; he has also been a private basketball and fitness trainer as well. He enjoys working with kids, which he considers the best job anyone can have because of the impact on our kids because they are the future. His goal is to continue to be an impact and a role model in the community in some capacity to our youth and continue to remind kids that role models wear a variety of hats, besides sports, and can have a major impact in your life if you allow them.

Mr. Beatty wants the kids to know, “You don't have to strive for perfection, but always give your best whatever you do, and you can be satisfied with the results. Never say you can't do something, because you are capable of accomplishing anything if you are willing to have faith, believe, put in the time, and stay focused on the goal. DREAM BIG.”

Thank you for being excellent, Mr. Beatty!

03/07/2023

Next up in our black excellence spotlight is Briana Washington!

Briana Washington is a three-time graduate from Marshall University, with her first in 2009 with a bachelor’s in Psychology and minor in International Affairs, 2017 with a Masters in Health Care Administration, and 2020 with a Masters in Social Work. Briana also has a passion for health, wellness, and fitness, which led to her becoming certified as personal trainer with additional specialties in glute strengthening, indoor cycling, and fitness nutrition. Briana currently works as a behavioral health therapist where she specializes in treating trauma, mood, and personality disorders. She also is able to explore her passion for fitness by working part time as a fitness instructor. Briana believes in approaching life from a holistic perspective and has the privilege to incorporate all her talents and passion across her endeavors.

This has led to Briana beginning her own business, Building With Bree, where her mission is to help people grow not only physically, but also mentally and emotionally. Seeing others heal and grow despite their experiences and circumstances is what fuels her work. She has been able to volunteer with local organizations such as The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, Our Future WV, and The YWCA, where she has helped create awareness, review grants, and push policy change in areas of criminal justice reform, domestic violence, and racial inequities. Briana believes her greatest calling is that of a parent to her amazing son who is active with their community’s swim and soccer teams. In their free time, they can be seen traveling, exploring eateries, connecting with family and friends, or relaxing at home.

Thank you for being excellent, Briana!

03/06/2023

Round up information for both Preschool and Kindergarten!

03/06/2023

Next up in our black excellence spotlight is Larry Moore!

Larry Moore lives in Charleston. He is a product of Kanawha County Schools. He graduated from Capital High School. Larry also graduated from Marshall University with an undergraduate and master’s degree with an autism endorsement. He also has a master’s degree from West Virginia State University. Larry works at Capital High School, where he is the Behavioral Interventionist, football coach, and track and field coach. He is also the announcer for the boys’ and girls’ basketball teams at Capital High. Larry is a member of The Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated. He sits on City Council for Charleston, representing Ward 4, which is located on the Westside of Charleston.

Larry was the chair of the Parks and Recreation Committee for the city of Charleston. Now, he is the chair for the Urban Renewal and Economic Development Committee. Larry is a member of Keep Your Faith Corporation. Keep Your Faith Corporation is highly active in the city of Charleston. The programs they offer are community gardening, work force initiative, and mental health outreach. Keep Your Faith Corporation also hosts an annual community Thanksgiving dinner every year. Larry loves to help others and see them be great.

Thank you for being excellent, Larry!

03/03/2023

Next up in our black excellence spotlight is LaKeisha Barron-Brown!

LaKeisha Barron-Brown is the Program Manager, College Links of INROADS in the Charleston, WV market. She is a longtime resident of Charleston, WV. She comes to the INROADS organization as an INROADS Alumni with extensive professional background in developing, implementing and evaluating the effectiveness of programs. Ms. Barron-Brown first learned about INROADS during her 10th grade year of high school. She recognized early on the opportunities that INROADS would provide as a link to college preparation and attainment. As a first-generation college student, Ms. Barron-Brown benefitted from the soft skills and career readiness that she gained while being in INROADS. The skills obtained allowed her to have a greater appreciation of education and the global workforce.

Ms. Barron-Brown has a Master of Arts in Correctional Counseling from Marshall University. She has over 20 years of experience working alongside government and non-profit organizations that serve the needs of at-risk youth and at-risk populations. Ms. Barron-Brown is an author and motivational speaker. She has a passion in community outreach, mobilizing and engagement. Her motto is, “Everyone has the potential to succeed even when they may not believe in themselves.”

Thank you for being excellent, LaKeisha!

03/02/2023

My apologies – I have been out sick this week. Make up post!!!!

Next up in our black excellence spotlight are Courtney Campbell-Williams, Dr. Michelle Foster, Lindsey McIntosh, and Elder Bobby L. Robinson, Jr.!

Thank you all SOOOO MUCH!!!

02/24/2023

Next up in our black excellence spotlight is TR Dues!

TR is 39 years old. He has 3 sons: Tyshawn, Laron, and Angelon. He graduated from South Charleston High in 2001. While in high school, he played three sports. He earned football scholarship offers, as well as breaking Randy Moss’ record in the 100m dash running a 10.62. He attended Fork Union Military Academy after high school and signed a scholarship to play at JMU . Family is first for TR. When his father was sick, he came home and played three years at WVWC. He was All Conference two years and All American one year. He played professional football in the NFL, CFL, and AFL. He currently owns a business called Trainrek Training, where he continues to give his knowledge and experiences to help the youth and many others of all ages to become successful in life through sports.

Thank you for being excellent, TR!

02/23/2023

Next up in our black excellence spotlight is Scott Canada!

Mr. Canada is 44 years old. He is the father of 5 young men, 2 dogs (Duke and Delilah), and married to his amazing wife, Whitney. He graduated from THE Capital High School in 1997 where he was a member of the football team and VIPS. He attended Ben Franklin Career and Technical Center in 1998 and obtained a certification in Computer-Aided Drafting and Design. He went on to graduate from West Virginia State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Education and in 2021 a Master of Science in Sports Studies. He is currently finishing a Master of Education in Instructional Leadership at WVSU.

He has worked for Kanawha County Schools for 10 years as a Physical Education and Health Teacher in both the South Charleston and Capital feeder areas. He has coached youth sports for 22 years at the Biddy, Middle School, and High School levels. He is currently the Behavioral Interventionist at West Side Middle. “Dare to be different! Be yourself and walk your own trail. The road less traveled isn’t always the wrong path.”

Thank you for being excellent, Mr. Canada!